'The Naughty Bus' story drives Arriva London to World Book Day

Last week saw the celebration of World Book day, and as the pupils of St. Joseph’s RC Infant & Nursery School, Upper Norwood, had chosen ‘The Naughty Bus’ as their book for the day, they decided to contact Arriva London’s Norwood Garage to ask for a little help.

The school contacted Gordon Elliott, the deputy operating manager at Norwood garage, and enquired whether Arriva could supply a bus and a driver.

Arriva London's Terry Linger issuing tickets.

Norwood’s senior garage supervisor Terry Linger, who has an old Routemaster of his own (RM275) at Norwood garage, volunteered to take it to the school for the celebration.

Most of the children had never seen or been on a Routemaster bus before, so they were absolutely delighted to see Terry and his bus, particularly as the bus blinds showed the destination as ‘The Naughty Bus’, the name of the book they had chosen for World Book Day.

'Miss' plays conductor with the Gibson ticket machine.

The children had made their own tickets in order to board the bus, and Terry had brought along his old Gibson ticket machine issuing them all with a ticket. Some of the children had a go on the ticket machine; even the teaching staff tried it on and pretended to be conductors.

Any more fares please!

The children all sang songs on the bus, with activities based around the Naughty Bus book, and a number of the children got to sit in the driver’s cab. The children were fascinated and asked Terry lots of questions.

As Terry said:-

"It was great to see the children’s faces when we turned up with the bus; they were really excited. It’s good that we can be of help in this way and is something we at Arriva are always pleased to be involved with"

This year’s Open City once again provided a thoroughly enjoyable and imaginative Mystery Architour, with the Arriva London historic Heritage Fleet bus RM 2217, itself an iconic piece of design, transporting the lucky ballot winners on a trip in London from Russell Square to Stratford, taking in St. Pancras, Kings Cross and the Boundary Gardens at Arnold Circus.

To start the year in a positive way and finish off the celebrations for the Year of the Bus, Arriva London’s Heritage Fleet RMC 1464 ‘The Open Topper’ was invited to join the New Year’s Day celebration parade through the streets of London.